Favourites Prevail
Rider Efrain Hernandez bags a three-timer on a 'chalky' afternoon for bettors as five out of seven favourites win, including the day's feature 2yo contest
The ice cream vendor came fully loaded and was rewarded with a sultry, partly cloudy afternoon that remained dry despite the occasional dark cloud. The track remained fast.
HIGHLIGHTS :
Efrain Hernandez had a riding triple on the day.
Scott Williams checked into the winners circle twice.
The Pick 5 carryover is at $45,606 and the Pick 6 is up to $36,085.
The handle was $428,139.
Race 1.
The Saturday opener went to the heavily favoured filly PINEAPPLE TIDBITS ($3.70) who is owned by Don Musgrove and Lyle Johnson and trained by Keith Pedersen . The 4/5 favourite was content to settle far back off of the slow early pace then when given her cue by jockey Scott Williams she produced a quick final quarter burst that easily got her to the wire first in a good time of 1:47.32. Roger and Mel Snow's HEART OF TEXAS broke alertly and was allowed to amble through an easy early tempo (25.01, 48.61 and 1:14.60) and was resilient when confronted at the top of the stretch but couldn’t quite stay with the winner and was a comfortable runner-up. Rob and Sheena Maybin's DONE THAT ran a much improved race and did well to be third.
Claims:
PINEAPPLE TIDBITS was claimed by Robert Thacker and trainer Demetris Topouzis
Race 2.
The second of the day as expected went to the Swift Thoroughbreds REMEMBERTHEALAMO ($3.30) who outbroke the field by a couple of lengths under Efrain Hernandez and comfortably held his advantage throughout in a quick time of 39.71 for trainer Dino Condilenios. Dave Milburn and Mark Freeman’s FILLY FATALE was off a tad slow but quickly regathered herself to sit second and was travelling well through the lane but could not catch the winner under apprentice Kimal Santo. The JDP Holdings FORCE TO REKN WITH had an encouraging debut rallying up the rail to be third.
Race 3.
The third was won by the JT Racing's TRAPALIS ($5.10) who bided his time well back off of the early fractions then put in a sharp final move to swoop by the pace setters and drew off to a huge score under Scott Williams for trainer Ryan Deyotte in a good time for the level of 1:46.96. Russ and Lois Bennett's SHOWMAN set a pressured pace getting the early splits in 24.38, 48.24 and 1:14.00 he won the pace battle but could not hold off he oncoming TRAPALIS and held on gamely for second. The Minnaloushe Stables and Dave Milburn's CATTITUDE engaged the early pace and battled on the outside of SHOWMAN but started to lose ground on the final bend but held well for third.
Race 4.
The favourites continued in race four as George Gilbert's SOUTHERN LASS ($4.70) did not disappoint her backers as she led the field through modest fractions under Efrain Hernandez of 24.54, 49.13, 1:15.37 and carried on steadily through the final stages to win in 1:48.17 for trainer Mark Cloutier. Warren Wilson, Neil Stajkowski, June Sutherland, Ross Switzer and Barry Hickman's HARBOUR STORM rushed up to challenge the speed through the opening stages and settled nicely and when asked for her best she responded and was running well through the final quarter mile but had to settle for the runner-up prize. The Pocket Aces Racing Stable's SILVER ARROW turned in a much better showing closing up the inside to gain third money.
Claims:
SOUTHERN LASS was claimed by owner/trainer Demetris Topouzis
Race 5.
The fifth race went to Don Danard's FINDING WAYS ($6.60) who broke on top and led the field to the opening quarter in a comfy 22.50 and was pressured to the half-mile junction in 46.20 and seemed confidently ridden by Gabriel Morales around the final turn and drew off in the stretch when urged and cruised to an impressive score in 1:17.38. The Canyon Farm's BAKLANE made an early move to get in contention entering the backstretch and raced head and head on the stretch turn with FINDING WAYS but could not stay with him and just lasted for second. Lance Giesbrecht and Gord Christoff’s ERLICH was far back early and made a strong run up the inside and just missed getting second ending up third.
Claims:
FINDING WAYS was claimed by Rob & Sheena Maybin and trainer Rob Maybin
Race 6.
The sixth event was won by Joe and Gloria Russo's THE ALL BUTTON ($7.60) who sat in behind the speed hugged the rail throughout and came off of it turning for home under Silvino Morales and just got up for the win for Jaymie Pearman in 1:17.58. The D & E Racing Stables BILLS SMOKN BULLET ran his usual tough race battling through contested splits of 22.21 and 45.68 was ultra game in the stretch but just got outrun late. The RNH Stables SANAWAR took his customary spot at the back of pack then started to make good ground on the stretch turn but ran into traffic issues and checked in third.
Claims:
THE ALL BUTTON was claimed by Rob & Sheena Maybin and trainer Rob Maybin
Race 7.
The seventh and final on the day went to B.C. Racing Hall-of-Fame owners Nick and Pauline Felicella's JACOBS CALL ($6.10) who easily bested this field winning in a sharp 1:44.90 giving rider Efrain Hernandez his third victory on the afternoon. The Terry Jordan trainee set the pace through steady splits of 24.42, 48.48 and 1:13.52 then started to get separation from the field at the quarter pole and cruised home to win easily. The Willow Creek Farm's GUNS N AMMO was away a tad slow and put a nice three wide move on the stretch turn but couldn’t get near the winner and was a clear second. The Rocking Bar B Outfit’s STAY ALL NIGHT was always in contention on the rail and stayed on gamely to the wire to be third.
Nine One One Lands Emerald Downs’ Allowance
The Rob Gilker-trained NINE ONE ONE successfully transitioned to Allowance company at Emerald Downs on Saturday when landing a $25k, 6-furlong contest by 3½ lengths. Nine One One, who won his maiden in Seattle back in May, was impressive, making pretty much every yard of the running under Alex Cruz to win eased down in 1:08:59. A 4yo gelded son of Maclean’s Music, Nine One One was bred in BC by Steen and Cathy Reggelsen and is owned by Rob and Vicky Gilker and Ted Smith.
Mixed Fortunes for Edmonton Raiders
Hastings’ star UNCHARACTERISTIC put up a brave effort in Saturday’s $50k Spangled Jimmy Handicap at Century Mile (video above), but could never quite get on terms with the leaders after making headway from the back of the field. The former Canadian Derby hero, who has already won the George Royal Stakes this year, is trained by Rob VanOverschot and he also saddled ITSMYDAY, runner-up in the day’s final event, a 6-furlong Maiden Special Weight. The Barb Heads-trained duo RUN LOLA RUN and SANGRIA finished third and fourth in Friday evening’s $50k Shirley Vargo Handicap (video below).
Hastings continues Sunday with a seven-race program. First race: 2pm
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